We Are a Work in Progress
We should have done better.
First, we want to apologize for not communicating with you sooner. We, the current board and staff, acknowledge the harm we have caused over the last few months, specifically to former program staff and board members who took courageous actions to let the organization know we were not living up to our mission and values or our public commitment to racial equity. We are sorry for our previous inaction.
We are working quickly to remedy the situation by taking immediate steps for short and long-term changes informed by reflecting on lessons learned, rebuilding trust with our community, and refocusing on our vision and mission. In recent weeks we have been called out for our complicitness in white supremacy culture. As a 30-year-old organization, we are not immune to the effects of this culture or its pervasive nature within nonprofit organizations. We acknowledge that we are a work in progress.
We have heard your concerns and requests for more information and transparency. It is our policy not to comment on matters that can put us at risk legally. We recognize the harm done to people who were on the board and staff by not listening to their concerns, valuing their experiences, or responding to our fullest abilities.
We are working quickly to act.
Second, our immediate focus was ensuring that our youth services remained intact for the countless youth who depend on weekly support groups. The next action was to appoint an Interim Executive Director. These steps created the stability needed to serve LGBTQ+youth in this transition moment.
This week we have accepted the resignation of six board members. The remaining board voted to install new officers to carry on the business of the organization. In an effort to repair the harm done, the remaining board members voted to extend offers of rehire to departed program staff. If they did not feel comfortable returning, we extended a severance payment. We are offering them space to make their own decisions on their own timeline. We are fully prepared to welcome them back if they choose to return.
At this moment we are aware that we must prioritize, center, and honor the experiences of Black and brown staff and youth to effectively and fully serve the needs of our community. We have a lot of work to do and will need the help of a third-party. We have begun the search for a consultant to work with our board on matters of identity, strategy, and racial equity. Tough conversations must take place. We are prepared to listen and do what we can to restore trust and promote healing.
We are listening
Third, we invite you to the first of several community listening sessions to be facilitated by our Board President Natasha Crosby and interim Executive Director Lacette Cross.
You may register for this session to be held on February 1 at 4:30pm by filling out this form. A Zoom link will be sent to you before the session. This is the first opportunity for you to share, provide feedback and ask hard questions. We welcome your engagement.
We are moving forward
Board President Natasha Crosby says, “As the newly appointed Board President I want to assure you we are committed to the hard work of our next steps including the open acknowledgment of our mistakes and the development of plans to move forward together in the mission of supporting LGBTQ+ youth around Virginia.”
We remain committed to LGBTQ+ youth and we are preparing to do this work with the guidance of others. We owe it to ourselves and the youth we support to take thoughtful and deliberate steps forward to listen, repair and rebuild.
